Do you fancy learning how to play canoe polo?Does your canoe club fancy trying canoe polo?Do you already play and want an extra chance to practice?Polo is a kayaking game for two teams where each team of 5 tries to throw a ball into the opposing team’s net, whilst avoiding being rammed, pushed in, or paddled over. Polo combines paddling and ball handling skills with an exciting contact team game, promoting teamwork, general canoeing skills, and a range of other techniques unique to the sport. More generally though, it’s just great fun!

When, Where and How Much?Thursday evenings from June to end of August 2017 6.00 to 8pm at Pinkston Watersports.
This is the first year offering these sessions and the price is £2 per person including access to changing rooms and showers.

Format?
A mix of coaching, practice time and informal games. From 8pm onwards there is the chance for open team practice/games. Coaching is provided by volunteers and supervised by a qualified BCU kayak coach.

What Age? Memberships?
To regularly attend the session all participants will need to be individual members of the SCA, or a member of an SCA affiliated club. For the first session you don’t need to be a member but will need to complete a consent form for a taster session.The sessions are available from 8 years upwards.
(* See Notes 1 and 2).

How Good Do I need to be?
The sessions are suitable for someone who has already learnt the basics of kayaking. Examples of skills you need to have include capsizing with a spraydeck, forwards paddling and basic steering. Although in real games canoe polo involve getting pushed in, we will have a no pushing in rule for less confident paddlers.

What Equipment is Available?
All equipment is available; Kayak, Paddle, Buoyancy Aid (at all times), Helmet (games and shooting practice), Spraydecks, Polo Balls. You will need to bring: Old trainers or booties. Wetsuit if you have one or swim shorts/suits and base layers to keep warm. Avoid wearing cotton during the activity Full change of clothes and a towel for afterwards. Food and snacks and warm or cold drinks for afterwards. Any medication you require.

Kayak Clubs
Canoe polo is a great kayak discipline and we hope these sessions can help clubs to offer canoe polo to their members or to give an existing team an extra chance to train/practice. As this is a new initiative jointly run by DCKC and Pinkston and we are very happy to discuss how we can help meet your needs – just contact us.

Contact and Booking
To help us to plan sessions and to make sure we have enough kit please contact us in advance.Bookings can be made by sending an email to: polo@dckc.co.uk In your email please indicate: The number of participants you want to book. What date and session time you want to book for. A contact phone number (preferably a mobile telephone number). You can also phone 07968 057 934 and speak to Graham.

Notes

Note 1: Children. The minimum age is 10years (or 8yrs with parents on the water). All children under 16years must be accompanied by parent or guardian who must remain (on land or water). If a child is a member of a Kayak Club or Youth group then an adult will need to be present. All participants must to be able to swim. Where appropriate adults and children will take part in separate games. Unfortunately where the particiant is not able to demonstrate a minimum standard of paddling they will need to leave the session.

Note 2: Memberships. From your second session onwards you need to be either an individual SCA member or a member of an SCA Kayak Club (with an adult member of that club or parent/guardian present). If you are not a member of a club or the SCA then you can join DCKC for only £15 (Adult) / £10 (U18) (to End of August 2017). The Wednesday sessions are run by Drumchapel and Clydebank Kayak Club with the grateful support of Pinkston Watersports. Contact us for more information at polo@dckc.co.uk

Kayak Pool Sessions First Session is from 7 to 8pm, Children and Parents and adult beginners/novice groups*. Second session is from 8 to 9pm Adults session. During both sessions we will normally have coaching available[...]

The regular club night on the artificial white water course at Pinkston, Glasgow. We have the venue booked from 7.30pm (flat water) and then the pumped course from 8pm. Changing rooms are available from 7pm[...]

An A/B trip as part of our A/B trip Program. Paddle the amazing Loch Katrine with Tea Shops, History and more. Meet Stronachlachar pier 10.30h. If you need kit, contact Iain McGhie well in advance[...]

Kayak Pool Sessions First Session is from 7 to 8pm, Children and Parents and adult beginners/novice groups*. Second session is from 8 to 9pm Adults session. During both sessions we will normally have coaching available[...]

The regular club night on the artificial white water course at Pinkston, Glasgow. We have the venue booked from 7.30pm (flat water) and then the pumped course from 8pm. Changing rooms are available from 7pm[...]

We have some new river boats to purchase thanks to a grant award from Tesco Bags of Help Funding. We are buying three wavesport Diesel Kayaks (2 Medium and 1 large) but what colour?Choice are : Sublime, Cherry Bomb, Black Ice and Citrus Twist. Any thoughts?

If possible could some paddlers answer a few quick questions for my sons HND sports coaching and Development (Outdoor Education) Graded Unit. He has to research if paddlers use pre performance rituals - thanks!

Great Glen Challenge 2018 - 92km across the whole of Scotland
The Great Glen Challenge will be the final race in the 2018 series. This challenge will be run as a down wind course. The direction of the course will be given at race briefing.
FORMAT
This is a 92km downwind challenge which runs from the West Coast to the East Coast of Scotland. It will be run as a 2 day event. Each day will start at 6am, thereby starting you in the darkness of the Highlands and you will paddle and watch the sun come up over the most breathtaking scenery in the World. Each day will be 46km in length.
DAY ONE
Race Start Neptune's Staircase, Fort William. On day one you will paddle through Loch Lochie and Loch Oich and finish at the half way point in Fort Augustus.
DAY TWO
Race Start Fort Augustus and straight onto the mighty Loch Ness. Loch Ness is a 36km Loch and the conditions could resemble the ocean, with waves up to 2m being known in high winds. After leaving Loch Ness you have a 10km canal paddle to the finish at Muirtown Lock Basin in Inverness. Where we will be waiting for you all with your well deserved finishers medal.
We would advise everyone to stay in or close to Fort Augustus. This will be our venue for race briefing, day 1 finish, day 2 start point and prize giving dinner and party. We conduct our race briefing at the half way point as it gives us the easy opportunity to reverse the race course dependant on the wind direction.
SCHEDULE
DAY ONE
06:00 - Briefing and board scrutineering
06:30 - First Race start
16:00 - Cut off time at Fort Augustus (this allows for a lowest paddle speed of 4.8kph) This is very achievable as we will be paddling downwind
17:00 Food available in Fort Augustus Village Hall
DAY TWO
06:00 - Briefing and scrutineering
06:30 - First Race start
16:00 - Cut off time at Inverness (this allows for a lowest paddle speed of 4.8kph) This is very achievable as we will be paddling downwind
19:00 - Prize giving Dinner and party
Non Stop option will only be open to those with long distance plus open ocean downwind experience on your chosen craft.
NON STOP - Schedule
Saturday 15th September
18:00 - Briefing - Fort Augustus Village Hall
Sunday 16th September
02:00 Scrutineering of safety equipment
03:00 Race start
09:30 Cut off time at Fort Augustus (this requires a paddle speed of 7kph)
16:00 Cut off time at Inverness
19:00 Prize Giving Dinner and Party
Entry fee
£75 - Team and Solo
£55 - Relay
£45 - One day Option
Race Categories
SUP
Canoe
Kayak
Surfski
OC1
MANDATORY KIT
GREAT GLEN CHALLENGE
Due to being much more extreme environment, cold water and possibility of cold temperatures our Mandatory kit for this event is greater
SUP - Leash and PFD
Surfski, kayak, canoe - PFD
Mobile Phone in Waterproof Cotainer
Food and hydration
Bivy bag
Warm clothes for paddling, advise neoprene or dry suit
Light, we will be starting in the dark on both days. These do not need to be attached to your board but it must be lit and visible in darkness. It is to enable other water craft to see you
Race bib
Race number
We would advise ground support, especially for the Great Glen, someone to help with your craft at portages, make sure you are topped up with food and hydration and to cheer you on along the way
For Great Glen we advise a light change of clothes, especially for those racing non stop, just in case you need to self rescue
Toilets are available at every checkpoint and snacks and water will be provided with your race entry fee.
Food will be available at the end of Day One and breakfast during scrutineering will be available on Day Two. This is also included in your race entry.
We will be holding a traditional Scottish party for prizegiving for the race and the overall series at the Fort Augustus Village Hall on Sunday evening at 19:00 until 22:00. Prize giving party will include 2 course dinner plus soft drinks. Feel free to bring alcohol, cost will be £12 per person
Cancellation policy
100% refund up to 14th June
50% refund between 15th June and 14th July
25% refund between 15th July and 14th August
No transferring on entries

Kayak Pool Sessions First Session is from 7 to 8pm, Children and Parents and adult beginners/novice groups*. Second session is from 8 to 9pm Adults session. During both sessions we will normally have coaching available[...]

The regular club night on the artificial white water course at Pinkston, Glasgow. We have the venue booked from 7.30pm (flat water) and then the pumped course from 8pm. Changing rooms are available from 7pm[...]